Impatiens plant named ‘HGI-1043-2’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘HGI-1043-2’ characterized by having a typical compact growth and small flowers and soft pink flower color with a dark center.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Impatienswalleriana.

Variety denomination: HGI-1043-2.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofImpatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘HGI-1043-2’.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breedingprogram in the village of Hem, the Netherlands. The female parent is‘IB-4-1’ (unpatented). The male parent is ‘IB-16-3’ (unpatented)‘HGI-1043-2’ was discovered and selected by the inventor Johannes J. G.Sijm, in November 1999, as a flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross in a controlled environment in the village of Hem, theNetherlands.

‘HGI-1043-2’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by theinventor and selected in a controlled cultivated environment in thevillage of Hem, the Netherlands. Asexual reproduction of the newcultivar by vegetative cuttings used in propagation was first performedin December 1999 in the village of Hem, the Netherlands and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and reproduce true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘HGI-1043-2’ which in combinationdistinguish this Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact growth;

2. Small flowering;

3. Small leaves; and

4. Soft pink flower color with a dark center.

‘HGI-1043-2’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in the village of Hem, the Netherlands underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to ‘HGI-1043-2’ is the cultivar ‘FireflyLavender’. The overall habit and appearance of ‘HGI-1043-2’ and ‘FireflyLavender’ are comparable, however ‘HGI-1043-2’ has a more compact growthand the flower is RHS 65B and RHS N74B at the center, whereas the flowercolor of ‘Firefly Lavender’ is RHS N74B.

In comparison to the instant plant, both parental cultivars have a morevigorous plant habit. When grown under the same conditions in agreenhouse as potted plants, the parental cultivars are 50% taller than‘HGI-1043-2’. The flower color of parental cultivars differ from‘HGI-1043-2’. Flowers of the female parental cultivar are RHS 61B;flowers of the male parental cultivar are RHS 52A, and are larger, 4-5cm in diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic illustrations show typical characteristicsof Impatiens ‘HGI-1043-2’, with colors being as true as possible withillustrations of this type.

The first drawing shows the plant in its entirety, with compact growthand numerous flowers.

The second drawing shows an enlargement of one typical flower.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in the village of Hem, the Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. The plant grows well under normal greenhouse conditions,however the temperature should not decrease below 15 degrees Centigrade.Shading of the plants in high light conditions is essential. Colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noonin the village of Hem, the Netherlands.

Parentage:

Female parent.—IB-4-1.

Male parent.—IB-16-3.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Stem cutting.

PLANT

General appearance and form:

Height.—9 centimeters, when grown in a pot 10 centimeters, depending oncultivation conditions.

Width.—10 centimeters, depending on cultivation conditions.

Growth and branching habit.—Upright and freely branching.

Flowering response.—Day length neutral.

Flowering season.—Year-round in controlled climate conditions; outdoorsuntil start of frost period.

Winter hardiness.—No.

Lastingness of the individual bloom.—5 to 7 days depending ontemperature of the environment.

Crop time.—6 weeks from cutting to plant.

Time to initiate roots.—10 to 12 days at an average of 22 degreesCentigrade.

Time to develop roots.—18 to 21 days at an average of 21 degreesCentigrade.

Rooting habit.—Fibrous, branching and fine roots.

Fragrance.—None.

Foliage:

Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate to elliptic. Base: Acute. Tip: Acute.

Margin.—Sharp.

Texture.—Soft.

Main color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: RHS 137B. Immature leaf: RHS137B.

Main color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: RHS 138B. Immature leaf: RHS138B.

Venation color.—Upper surface: Pinnate RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS138B.

Size.—Length: 4 centimeters. Width: 2.5 centimeters.

Leaf base shape.—Acute.

Leaf apex shape.—Acute.

Petiole.—Length: 2 centimeters. Diameter: 0.2 centimeters. Color: RHS146C.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Single, placed in upper leaf axils.

Flowering season.—Year-round in controlled climate conditions; outdoorsuntil start of frost period. Flower Size: 2.3 cm long; 2.3 cm wide.Average Number: 2 to 7 per leaf axil, large numbers per plant. Petals:Number/Arrangement: 5 arranged around the stamen. Length: 1.2centimeters. Width: 0.8 centimeters. Shape: Upper petal round shaped,the remaining oval shaped. Base: Acute. Margin: Sharp. Texture: Soft.Color: Upper surface: RHS 65B; center RHS N74B. Lower surface: RHS 65Ccenter RHS 65A.

Stem.—Average length: 1.5 centimeters depending on cultivationconditions. Average diameter: 15 millimeters. Color: RHS 138B. Spur:Color: RHS 65B. Length: 2 cm. Bud: Response: Day length neutral. Color:Starts at RHS 155C to RHS 65C before opening. Size before opening: 0.5centimeter. Pedicel Length: Starting at 0 cm and stretching to 1.5centimeters. Pedicel Color: RHS 138A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamen: 1, color RHS 141B. Seed/Fruit Development:None. Anthers: Caps over pistil, drops off when flower matures. Color:RHS 77A. Pollen: None. Stigma: Star-shaped when opened, color RHS 155B.Ovary: Color RHS 141B.

Pest/disease resistance/susceptibility.—No observations to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘HGI-1043-2’substantially as illustrated and described herein.